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Species 5. Kinosternon pennsylvanicum (Bosc). The Mud Turtle. 

 [ Ginosternum pennsylvanimim (Bosc).] 



This Turtle is variously known by the following names: Mud 

 Turtle, Mud Terrapin, Eastern Mud Turtle, Common Mud Turtle, 

 Pennsylvania Tortoise, Small Mud Turtle, Mud Digger, Mush Turtle 

 and Mud Tortoise. The na.mo of the genus is fsoni the Greek and 

 means "moving breast," in reference to the lobe of the plastron 

 which can be moved to close the shell. The common name "Mud 

 Turtle" is, of course, in reference to its frequenting muddy places, 

 and the term "Musk Thrtle" refers to its odor, although this name 

 should be reserved for the next species. 



The description of the Mud Turtle is as follows, taken mostly 

 from Jordon and Fowler, and compared also with preserved speci- 

 mens : 



Carapace rather long and narrow, highest usually back of the 

 middle, rising gradually from the front and terminating abruptly at 

 posterior end; margin of carapace turning downward and inward 

 rather than outward. Plastron nearly sufficient to enclose the whole 

 body by hinge action, before and behind. The skin of the neck has 

 some rounded fleshy tubercles. Eyes far forward, limbs small, slen- 

 der, feet short. Posterior lobe of plastron notched. Carapace with- 

 out a trace of keel, and scales smooth in adult. Size of adult rarely, 

 if ever, exceeding four inches. Shell dusky brown; scales narrowly 

 lined with black; head dark, with light dots. Plastron pale yellow 

 to horny brown, or with both colors present, with angular striae 

 and scales with dull olive-tinted margins. Head, neck and exposed 

 skin muddy-brown, paler on lower surfaces. Iris brown. 



We are unfortunate in having no specimens of the Mud Ttirtle 

 collected within the State of Pennsylvania, although it occurs in this 

 Commonwealth. We invite friends to aid us in obtaining a few 

 specimens from this State for further study. It is found through- 

 out the Eastern United States from New York to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and westward to the Mississippi Valley. 



Stone gives its occurrence in this region as the south-eastern part 

 of Pennsylvania. 



Hay says, "This turtle remains about ponds and muddy ditches, 

 where it can bury itself in the mud whenever it becomes alarmed. 

 It is more inclined to seek protection in its own shell than, is odora- 

 tus. Takes the hook readily, but nibbles the angler's bait so slyly 

 that their presence is not observed for some time." 



Holbrook mentions the fact that this turtle takes a hook readily, 

 and is therefore troublesome to anglers, seizing the bait so cau- 

 tionsl^y tliat it is fiome minutes before it is im\j liook<?d, when it 



